Licence to sell alcoholic beverages to be consumed on site

Any establishment that sells alcoholic beverages - whether the sale is on a primary basis (such as in a bar) or an ancillary basis (such as in a restaurant) and whether the beverages are consumed on the premises or taken away.

This includes the following establishments: restaurant, café, bar, pub, discotheque, hotel-restaurant, bed and breakfast, etc.

On-site drinking establishments are divided into two categories according to the extent of the licence they hold:

• The 3rd category licence, known as a "restricted licence", includes the authorisation to sell for consumption on the premises from 1st group drinks and 3rd group drinks;
• The 4th category licence, known as a "grand licence" or "full licence", includes the authorisation to sell for consumption on the premises all drinks whose consumption indoors remains authorised, including 4th and 5th groups drinks.

Restaurants that do not hold an on-premises drinks licence must hold one of the following two categories of licence to sell alcoholic beverages:

• The "small restaurant licence" which allows the sale of drinks from the third group for consumption on the premises, but only on the occasion of the main meals and as accessories to the food;
• The "restaurant licence" itself, which allows the sale for consumption on the premises of all drinks whose consumption is authorised, but only on the occasion of the main meals and as accessories to the food.

The distribution of beverages by means of automatic devices allowing immediate consumption is considered as a sale for consumption on the premises.

In order to obtain a liquor or restaurant licence, it is necessary both to hold a business permit, issued after specific training, and to make a prior declaration. The licence is valid for 10 years.